Lucasfilm Confirms 'Return of the Jedi' Sequel -- Will Luke, Han, and Leia Return?

Return of the Jedi is considered one of the best films in the Star Wars franchise.

The 1983 film paved the way for a part of the timeline known as the New Republic era, which is occupied by the Disney+ series The Mandalorian (2019), The Book of Boba Fett (2021), Ahsoka (2023), and Skeleton Crew (2024), as well as the latest film in the franchise, The Mandalorian & Grogu (2026).

Credit: Lucasfilm

A Return of the Jedi Follow-up Has Been Revealed

Now, a new project set right after Return of the Jedi has been revealed.

The upcoming racing game, Star Wars: Galactic Racer, was first announced last year at the Game Awards. Now, newly released overviews and previews have thrust it back into the spotlight. Watch a full preview of the game from IGN below:

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In Galactic Racer, players can relive the thrills of podracing — the faraway galaxy sport introduced in Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace (1999).

The game features iconic planets like Tatooine and never-before-seen ones where racetracks — some legal, some of them unsanctioned — have been purpose-built for your podracing adventures. You can also choose from multiple repulsorcraft classes, customize your build, and unlock new abilities on every turn.

But while the game obviously has close ties with The Phantom Menace, it’s set right after the events of Return of the Jedi, during the New Republic era.

Anakin and Sebulba podracing in their podracers in 'Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace' — Credit: Lucasfilm

Galactic Racer isn’t the first podracing game, though. You might remember 1999’s Star Wars Episode I: Racer, based directly on the sequence in The Phantom Menace. Two other podracing titles followed – the 2000 arcade game Star Wars: Racer Arcade, and the 2002 sequel to the Episode I game, Star Wars Racer Revenge. Watch the trailer for Galactic Racer below:

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“The Empire’s grip on the galaxy has finally broken, and with its fall comes a new obsession: speed,” the official synopsis reads. “As the New Republic struggles to rebuild – gambling, entertainment, and glory fuel a booming underground. Out of this chaos, the Galactic League is born: an unsanctioned racing circuit where syndicates sponsor pilots, fortunes are won and lost in seconds, and only the bold survive.”

It adds: “At the heart of it all is Shade, a lone racer with a dream of glory and revenge. For Shade, the League isn’t just a race; it’s a shot at reclaiming destiny. But standing in Shade’s way is Kestar, a ruthless rival who has his own power-hungry plans for the League. As the Galactic League rises, so does the rivalry that could define it. Shade must forge alliances, outpace rivals, and survive long enough to become an elite racing pilot.”

Will Any Iconic Star Wars Characters Appear?

While the first trailer confirms the return of the villainous Dug, Sebulba, who tried to cheat against Anakin (Jake Lloyd) during their race in the 1999 film, no other characters have been confirmed.

However, as it’s set after Return of the Jedi, here’s hoping we get to see Luke, Han, and Leia.

Star Wars: Galactic Racer is developed by Fuse Games and published by Secret Mode. It launches on October 6 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S/X.

Are you excited about Galactic Racer? Let us know in the comments!

Lucasfilm Confirms 'Return of the Jedi' Sequel -- Will Luke, Han, and Leia Return?

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